Forced into stopping drinking - surgery - what can I do to help me through it?

[IAmAnAlcoholic]

I'm scared about the surgery but also about the fact that I drink every night. I will be in pain and recovery for a few weeks and staying with a friend. I'm sure I won't want to drink but even if I did I won't be able to.
I am so scared about having seizures. Is there anything I can do? Speak to my GP? I've had alcohol support though an outreach team but have been discharged (because I lied to them about my alcohol usage). Any help will be so so much appreciated.

If you are having an operation, they would normally check your blood results which includes liver function blood tests. They will see long term alcohol abuse in the results. I'd ask the medical team looking after you in terms of a detox/seizure concerns etc.

You won't be the first OP. Be honest with the medics so they can help you. You will get through this xxx

How much do you drink each day?

For example going cold turkey from drinking a bottle of wine a day wouldn't normally cause seizures

Thank you. My last liver test results were ok - surprisingly,

It's nearer two. I honestly can't remember the last time I went a night without drinking.

Doctor here! Please tell the anaesthetist or other medical staff when you’re admitted. There is medication that can be routinely prescribed to help you in case you have any symptoms of alcohol withdrawal - and it’s much safer if it’s made available in advance, rather than waiting until you potentially run into problems. The people looking after you really won’t judge! All the best for your operation and recovery. ❤️‍🩹

You need to tell them you are an alcoholic. You’ll need medication to stop withdrawal. I’m sure they will have seen it all before.

Thank you thank you! What will they prescribe do you know? So I can google it in advance. I should wait until I am admitted to tell them? I'm so scared and stressed.

Don’t wait until you are admitted to tell them, do it before to prevent delays. Honestly they will have heard far worse and won’t bat an eyelid.

Please tell them before surgery.

Surgical nurse here. They usually do a detox protocol with Librium and Pabrinex.
There is no judgement on you whatsoever, its for your own safety.
Nurses usually see the alcohol withdrawal quickly and it can be an unpleasant experience for both patient and staff.
You will be better prepared for your surgery if the surgeons/nurses are aware of your drinking habits and your post operative recovery will run smoother.
Take care

Don’t stress, just explain the situation and I’m sure it’s not something they haven't heard many times before. But definitely better to be upfront and honest about.
wishing you speedy recovery

It's very responsible of you to be thinking of this now, and great advice here - I hope this is the start of better things for you - good luck!

Chlordiazepoxide stops the withdrawal symptoms. Pabrinex compensates for the vitamin deficiencies. Talk to your preop nurse so the anaesthetist can be informed in terns of list ordering and getting the liason team involved early. Try to start gradually reducing daily preop as most of our anaesthetic drugs are liver metabolised xx

Sadly pabrinex is no longer. Thiamine iv.
Google GMAWS protocol. Give advance warning. The addictions team in the community could assist with harm reduction prior to admission.

How old are you OP? Good luck with your surgery and your future, this could be the start of a brighter future.

You can have normal liver function blood results and still have damage to your liver. You need an ultrasound to rule out issues.

Eh? I only prescribed it 5d ago, we certainly still have it

@Destiny123

'Pabrinex IV will be out of stock from July/ August 2024 until September 2025, due to supply issues relating to manufacturing regulations issued by the EU. Pabrinex IM will be permanently discontinued from December 2024. Pabrinex is only used in the UK, with thiamine IV/ IM being routinely used globally'

Unless you have a large back stock im not sure how you managed and if you're prescribing I'm not sure how you were not aware of this.

My mum went into hospital unexpectedly (alcohol induced fall) somewhere the fact she was an alcoholic and had fallen over drunk got lost in translation between the A&E staff and the ward. She went delirious and honestly thought she was never going to come back, thinking she was in a hotel instead of a a hospital and everyone was out to get her. When I told them she was al alcoholic it was like a light went on and they quickly put her on some sort of benzodiazepine and it quickly sorted the delirium. She was drinking at least a bottle of wine a night but she only weighs about 7-8 stone due to the malnutrition and ibs of being an alcoholic. She quickly came back to normality after that. You definitely need to say something at your pre-op. Just to say, this was 18 months ago and my mum is now 18 months sober at 76, that was the last time she hit rock bottom (and fingers crossed it will stay that way). It's never too late. Good luck with your surgery xxx

No idea. We haven't been given a alert message to say so